Procedures

The abdominal aorta is also a typical location for arterial disease to develop. Disease of this major artery segment may cause its walls to weaken and stretch, resulting in a dilated, ballooning segment called an aneurysm. With further aneurysm expansion under pressure, tearing or rupture can occur, which carries a high fatality rate. Like disease in the carotid arteries, aortic aneurysm development and progression is typical silent. Aortic aneurysm is usually easily detected using ultrasound. Abnormal aorta aneurysms (AAA) are also a cause of sudden death. Total time for the test is an hour.

Arterial Ultrasound

Arterial ultrasound uses two techniques to evaluate the blood pressure and blood flow in the arteries in your legs. These techniques are blood pressure measurement using cuffs similar to those used for arm measurements of pressure, and ultrasound (high frequency sound waves). Arterial ultrasound is performed to detect obstructions in the leg arteries. These obstructions may be causing symptoms, such as leg pain when walking or doing other forms of exercise. Total time for the test is an hour

Carotid Ultrasound

One of the main reasons for a stroke. The carotid arteries are the main arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Disease in the carotid arteries is a major cause of stroke. Progressive plaque accumulation in these arteries is typically silent before stroke but can easily be detected during an ultrasound examination. Significant plaque development in the carotid arteries is a risk factor for stroke. If severe obstruction of a carotid artery is found, procedures to relieve the obstruction have been shown to reduce the odds of future stroke. Total time for the test is an hour.

Second Opinion Evaluations

Whether you need a second opinion or you want to have your heart evaluated, Carolina Heart and Leg Center can provide you with a thorough evaluation of your arteries.

Venous Duplex Ultrasound

An hour long procedure that takes place right in our office. A Venous Duplex ultrasound penetrates deep into the legs to find blood clots or restricted blood flow. This ultrasound is used to determine is restricted blood flow is causing leg pain, swelling or cramping or varicose veins or spider vein conditions. The deep veins of the legs are also the most common locations for large blood clots to develop, a condition known as “deep vein thrombosis”, or DVT. DVT may cause pain and swelling in a leg and may result in a pulmonary embolus, a condition where a portion of the DVT breaks free and travels in the blood stream to lodge in the lungs, the results of which can be fatal. Ultrasound imaging can also detect DVT with high accuracy and speed and lead to immediate treatment with blood thinners. Total time for the test is an hour.

EVLT (Endovenous Laser Therapy)

Invasive treatment to shut down veins with reflux. Prep for procedure included no leg hose day of or day prior to procedure but bring hose to appointment as patient will wear them home. Drink lots of water day of procedure, and transportation home. Insurance require patient to wear hose minimum of 3 months before treatment will be authorized. Procedure takes about 2 hours beginning to end.

Sclerotherapy

It is the method of vein treatment that includes injection of sclerosing agent to close vessels, usually performed under ultrasound for larger and deeper vessels. Visual sclerotherapy does not require ultrasound. Preparation for sclerotherapy is the same as EVLT except the patient can drive them-self home as no sedation is used. Procedure time is about 30 minutes.

Peripheral Angiogram

Invasive way of evaluating and improving blood flow arteries in legs. Procedure takes total of 6-8 hours to complete including recovery time. Requires extensive prep including labs and transportation home.